EXCITING live demonstrations were the highlight of a family fun day at Milford Haven Fire Station on Saturday (August 15).

The open day, which helped raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, was also an opportunity to see up close the incredible work fighters do in emergencies, and pick up some top tips on how to stay safe.

Crews demonstrated the dangers of using chip pans, and showed how people are cut from cars after road accidents.

Visitors also witnessed a simulated incident, in which a ‘casualty’ had been found unconscious on a river bank, and was experiencing breathing difficulties.

The exercise showed how swift water rescue techniques can be used to move a casualty across a river via a high line, so they can be treated by paramedics.

Children and adults were also able to experience the difficult conditions faced by firefighters in a smoke-logged property

A garage at the rear of the station was also filled with synthetic smoke, and then guide line placed around the walls of the garage.

As they moved around inside the smoke filled garage, the supervising firefighter used a Thermal Image Camera so visitors could see the difference with and without the camera.

The ARP hydraulic platform from Haverfordwest was also on display, demonstrating its capability to perform rescues at height.

A spokesman for the station said: “The Open Day is run by stations so members of the public can come along to their local community fire station, have a look around, meet the fire-fighters and also see what sort of work that we do.

“It also gives us the opportunity to meet the public in better circumstances than we would normally had we been called to attend incidents, and pass on vital Home Fire Safety Check information and advice.

“And most of all, it’s for everyone to have a fun day.”